The MSU LIbraries’ Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival, now in its 7th year, will be held March 22-23, 2013. This signature festival features some of the world’s most talented pianists in a setting that has come to be known for its warmth, hospitality and uniqueness.

Festival participants will join a host of loyal fans in Starkville for an event that is fast becoming known as one of the best of its type. Evening concerts will be featured in MSU’s McComas Hall Auditorium, while the daytime sessions and tours of the Templeton Collection will be held in Mitchell Memorial Library.

Attendees will be provided a special opportunity to see Frederick Hodges accompany silent films. Hodges performs throughout the country at a variety of silent film festivals demonstrating this unique art form.

During the festival, attendees will also view a selection from Broadway: The American Musical, adocumentary on the history of the American musicals created by Michael Kantor. Following the video, Dr. Michael Brown, MSU Department of Music Education, will lead a discussion with attendees about the humanities themes found in the video. Festival performers will also provide their insights into Broadway musicals and play a variety of Broadway selections.

The 7th annual Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival is sponsored by the Mississippi State University Libraries; the Charles Templeton, Sr. Music Museum; the Starkville Area Arts Council; the Greater Starkville Development Partnership; and, in part, by grants from the Mississippi Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To purchase tickets for the daily events, evening concerts and for the entire Festival visit http://library.msstate.edu/templeton/festival or contact Lynda Graham at lgraham@library.msstate.edu or 662-325-6634. The complete schedule of events can also be found online at the above website.